The IELTS test inspects your English skills in both productive skills, such as speaking and writing, and receptive skills, such as listening and reading. Which of these skills do you mostly feel confident while carrying out? Are you wary of any of those 4 sections that require improvement? Understanding your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for the IELTS test is essential. So here are Effective IELTS Tips For the First & Second Attempts.
Self-assessment plays a critical role in preparing for the IELTS exam. Therefore, you’ve to identify the areas where you require improvement and the areas where you need to polish up your proficiencies. It mirrors how much you know and how remarkably things are going. So, before knowing IELTS Tips, understand its different section and the skills needed for that.
IELTS proficiencies and sub-skills
The IELTS test evaluates reading, listening, speaking, and writing, which everyone knows. But have you ever thought of the various skills required to perform each of these well? Understand sub-skills before knowing IELTS tips:
Top IELTS Sub-skills
Let’s understand this by an example! To perform better:
IELTS Listening
- Perceive the core notions and elaborated information
- Identify the opinions
- Follow the growth of an argument
- Purpose and point of view of a speaker
IELTS Writing
- Schedule information and ideas explicitly
- Include apt content
IELTS Speaking
- Utilize an enriched range of vocabulary
- Speak coherently and fluently
IELTS Reading
- Perceive the gist
- Understand implied and inference meaning
Now, you must have understood what sub-skills are required for the IELTS exam, and it’s high time to detect which you need to focus on and which you’re already great at.
IELTS Tips For First Attempt:
In order to guide you in detecting your strengths and weaknesses, apply these these IELTS tips to score high:
Build a Study Routine
- Consistent Practice: Dedicate time daily to study. Set specific goals for each week to stay on track.
- Simulate Test Conditions: Take full-length timed practice tests to mimic test conditions. This will help you manage time effectively during the actual test.
Improve Vocabulary and Grammar
- Learn Contextual Vocabulary: Focus on academic vocabulary, especially if taking the Academic IELTS. Learn synonyms, as they’re essential for paraphrasing in Writing and Reading.
- Grammar Practice: Grammar is important, especially in Writing and Speaking sections. Review verb tenses, articles, and sentence structures.
Develop Listening Skills
- Listen to a Variety of Accents: IELTS listening tests feature British, American, Australian, and other accents. Practice with podcasts, TED Talks, and news reports in different accents.
- Focus on Keywords: Train yourself to listen for keywords and context. Often, questions are designed around main ideas rather than details.
Enhance Reading Speed and Comprehension
- Skim and Scan: For reading sections, practice skimming for the main idea and scanning for specific information. This will save you time.
- Paraphrase Understanding: Questions often use paraphrasing. Practice understanding ideas even when expressed differently.
Practice Writing with Structure
- Task 1 and Task 2: Familiarize yourself with the requirements for both tasks. In Task 1, you’ll summarize information; in Task 2, you’ll provide an opinion or argument.
- Use Linking Words: Cohesive devices (such as “therefore,” “however,” “on the other hand”) can help your ideas flow logically.
- Plan Before Writing: Spend a couple of minutes planning your answer structure before you start writing. This will keep your thoughts organized and focused.
Hone Your Speaking Skills
- Practice Answering Fluently: IELTS Speaking assesses fluency, coherence, and pronunciation. Practice speaking on common topics, such as family, hobbies, and work.
- Stay Calm and Natural: Don’t rush or memorize answers. Listen carefully to the question and respond naturally. Using everyday language is better than using complex words incorrectly.
IELTS Tips For Second Attempt:
Do not get stressed if you are not able to clear the exam for the first time, remember you have second chance too. So here are useful IELTS tips that you can apply.
Tip #1 – Don’t attempt too early
Out of all the IELTs Tips, The first things you need to keep in mind while attempting IELTS the second time is not to attempt it too early. Take some time and let the frustration go away. Try to control your emotions and let your mind become a little clear.
It is human nature to feel sad and frustrated once failure comes. Doing anything in such a mental state will not be good for you. So, some time is needed for sure. Try to spend time with people who care about you and will help you in healing. This is one of the best IELTS tips that will help you in scoring high.
Tip #2 – Analyze where you lacked
Before you roll up your sleeves for IELTS the second time, make sure you know what went wrong in the first place. You will have your scorecard. In that, each section’s score will be mentioned clearly.
Pay attention to the bank score and determine the least scored section. That gives you an idea of what should be honed for tasting success next time. If you can recall, try to find out which part of that section was the toughest. This will make things clearer and give direction to your second-time preparation journey.
Tip #3 – Don’t overlook the power of mock tests
The main reason behind failure in IELTS is that people take it for granted. They think they know English and can easily achieve success in this exam. But that’s not true. The English in IELTS test of higher academic standards. Some words may seem too alien for you.
This is where IELTS mock tests come into play.
If you haven’t tried them in the first place, give them a chance a second time. Even if you tried them on the first attempt, don’t ignore them a second time as well. They will help you prepare for IELTS in a real-time exam simulation environment. Understanding the weak areas become easy with them. Resources like Gurully.com provide IELTS mock test online as well.
Once you figure out your weaker areas, you can achieve perfection using the IELTS mock tests of Gurully.com. They save a great deal of time and effort.
Also, you will get reliable and instant results after each mock test. This helps you understand your level of improvement. With them, success is a sure thing.
Tip #4 – Practice Time Management
Time management is crucial in the IELTS Tips for preparation. During your preparation, practice completing tasks within the given time limits. Unleash your full potential on the exam! Embrace the pace, conquer time constraints, and never worry about running out of time.
Tip #5 – Learn from Mistakes
When reviewing your practice tests or mock exams, carefully analyze your mistakes. Understand the reasons behind each error and work on rectifying them. Take note of common patterns or recurring mistakes to address them systematically.
Tips #6 – Develop Test-Taking Strategies
Familiarize yourself with effective strategies for each section of the IELTS exam. For example, practice skimming and scanning techniques to locate information quickly in the reading section. The writing section focuses on structuring your responses and managing your time efficiently. These IELTS preparation tips will help you in scoring your desired band.
Tips #7 – Build Confidence
Build your confidence by maintaining a positive mindset. Believe in your abilities and focus on your progress throughout the preparation period. Visualize your performance in the exam, and stay motivated to achieve your desired score.
Wrapping up
It hurts when you cannot live your dreams because you have failed the IELTS exam. But it would be best if you geared up. While you get ready the second time, make sure you are well-prepared. Gurully.com is a great help. Their IELTS mock tests will make you fully prepared for the second time.
Conclusion:
While the frustration of failing the IELTS exam is understandable, it shouldn’t deter you from achieving your goals. With a targeted approach and the right IELTS tips, your second attempt can be a triumph. By following these expert preparation tips and strategically addressing your weaknesses, you can develop effective test-taking strategies and conquer the IELTS. Remember, Gurully.com offers invaluable resources like mock tests and instant feedback to empower your second attempt. With dedication, focused preparation, and a positive mindset, you can unlock a brighter future by achieving your desired band score. Don’t let a setback define you – seize this opportunity to turn your IELTS journey into a success story.
